Saturday, September 29, 2007

I came across another interesting cross breed. This one is a Chonzer, a mix of Miniature Schnauzer and Bichon Frise.

It's an interesting cross breed as both breeds are loving, intellegent, and affectionate. The Bichons tend to be naturally sociable while Schnauzers can be fiesty. Hopefully this mix will help tame the agressive nature of the Schnauzer.

When people talk of hybrid puppies, they usually claim that in a cross-breed you get the best of both breeds. The cynic in me often wonders why you can't just get the bad traits of both parents? According to dogbreedinfo.com, "the percentage of designer dogs with genetic problems is much lower then purebred dogs because the gene pool is mixed. "

Like purchasing any dog, it is important to visit with the dog and try to see what temperments they have. Know and understand the common temperments of both breeds, because in a hybrid dog, you can get any combination of those traits.

Friday, September 28, 2007

Great article I found on yahoo.com about a two-headed turtle. The photo is also taken from the article. They claim the turtle is healthy and is a conjoined twin.

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NORRISTOWN, Pa. - A pet store has bought a two-headed turtle from a collector and plans to keep it on display, the store manager said. The 2-month-old turtle, actually conjoined red-eared slider twins, fits on a silver dollar.

It has two heads sticking out from opposite ends of its shell, along with a pair of front feet on each side. But there is just one set of back feet and one tail.

The turtle is apparently healthy, and the species can live 15 to 20 years, said Jay Jacoby, manager of Big Al's Aquarium Supercenter in East Norriton. The turtle has not yet been named.

The store would not disclose how much it paid.

The same exotic-turtle collector sold another Big Al's store a conjoined-twin turtle about 20 years ago, Jacoby said. The man lives in Florida, but he declined to identify him.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

This story comes to us from Washington. To me, it is a despicable act to take a bunny from a group of children in order to make your point for animal rights. Left in the cage, in place of the bunny, were fliers protesting against the circus......tell me how this makes any sense? I have when people feel the need to go overboard to make their point.________________

SPOKANE, Wash. — (AP Story) Children at a downtown preschool got an unplanned lesson in animal rights activism when their pet rabbit was stolen and anti-circus fliers were left in the animal's cage.Sugar Bunny vanished from the Community Building Children's Center during a celebration of building renovations Saturday evening, teachers said.

"Somebody stoled him," 5-year-old Zion told The Spokesman-Review, which gave only the first names of him and other children in a report on the heist. "I'm sad."Lori Peters, a teacher, said watching, petting and playing with Sugar Bunny helped the little children overcome separation anxiety. The theft is being reported to police but it's unclear whether the preschool will find a new pet, she added.

The fliers that were left were for protests against the Ringling Brothers Circus, which was in town Friday through Sunday, and showed a picture of a bear trying to escape beneath the bars of a cage. Listed at the bottom were People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Northwest Animal Rights Network.

Daphna Nachminovitch, director of PETA's domestic animal department, said the group would not endorse stealing a pet bunny.

"Just like dogs and cats, (rabbits) have been domesticated, so we encourage people who have the knowledge and ability to adopt rabbits from their local shelters," Nachminovitch said.Teachers gathered the children in a circle Monday to remember Sugar Bunny, some by drawing pictures and others by writing songs.

"We talked about how some people have different ideas about animals," Peters. "Some people don't think they should be in cages."

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Thieves will do anything to try to steal something. This article comes to us from California and involves iguanas, theaft and a fake leg.

LOS ANGELES - A man accused of stealing three endangered iguanas from a nature preserve in Fiji and smuggling them into the United States in his prosthetic leg has been indicted.

Jereme James, 33, of Long Beach, faces a single count of smuggling, according to a federal indictment returned Friday in Los Angeles. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Prosecutors say James stole the Fiji Island banded iguanas while visiting the South Pacific island in September 2002. He then brought the reptiles to the U.S. by hiding them in a special compartment he had constructed in his prosthetic leg, prosecutors said.

James will be summoned to appear for his arraignment next month.James, who was not taken into custody, could not be located for comment. Authorities believe he had not yet retained a lawyer, and a call to a J. James in Long Beach was not immediately returned.

James came under scrutiny several years ago when someone told U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials that he had several of the neon green iguanas, which are protected under an international treaty regulating trade in endangered species.

During an undercover probe, James told investigators he sold three of the iguanas for $32,000, prosecutors said.

When a search warrant was served at his house on April 26, Fish and Wildlife agents seized four iguanas. Authorities suspect James may have bred the creatures to sell them.

The seized iguanas will end up in a breeding program in the United States, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph O. Johns said.

Friday, September 21, 2007

I signed up to join the ultimate pets top 100 list. Basically, you climb the list based on how many people click the link above and check out their site. It has a bunch of links to other sites, so it's a great resource for other blogs. Funny thing is, it's called the top 100 list, but yet here I am listed in 141st place. So, I could use your help to climb the list. Just click the link above, see some great resources, and help me get into the top 100!

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Food allergies account for about 10% of all the allergies seen in cats and dogs.

The entire process of a pet being sensitized to a particular agent in food and the complicated antibody response that occurs in the intestinal tract in pets with food allergies are not very well understood. Despite our lack of understanding of the actual disease process, there are many things that we do know.

Food allergies affect both cats and dogs. There is no strong link between specific breeds and food allergies. Food allergies affect both males and females and neutered and intact animals equally. They can show up as early as five months and as late as 12 years of age, though the vast majority of cases occur between 2 and 6 years. Many animals with food allergies also have concurrent inhalant or contact allergies.

There is a distinction that needs to be made between food allergies and food intolerances. Food allergies are true allergies and show the characteristic symptoms of itching and skin problems associated with feline and canine allergies. Food intolerances can result in diarrhea or vomiting and do not create a typical allergic response. Food intolerances in pets would be similar to people that get diarrhea or an upset stomach from eating spicy or fried foods. Fortunately, both food intolerances and allergies can be eliminated with a diet free from offending agents.

Several studies have shown that some ingredients are more likely to cause food allergies than others. In cats, the most common offenders are fish, beef, and dairy products. As you may have noticed, the most common offenders are the most common ingredients in both cat and dog foods. This correlation is not a coincidence. While some proteins might be slightly more antigenic than others, many proteins are similar in form and the incidence of allergic reactions are probably associated with the amount of exposure.

The symptoms of food allergies are similar to those of most other allergies seen in cats. The primary symptom is itchy skin. Symptoms may also include hair loss, excessive scratching, and miliary dermatitis.

It is difficult to distinguish an animal suffering from food allergies from an animal suffering from allergies based on physical signs. However, there are a few signs that always signal food allergies. If ayour pet suffers from allergies year-round or if symptoms begin in the winter, it's highly likely that it is a food allergy. Cats may develop very itchy skin which does not respond to antihistamines or steroid treatment.

A high quality diet, as opposed to feeding commercial brand foods, can also help reduce food allergies.(resources - peteducation.com)

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

The pups were in need of a haircut. It was the first time for Kelso (on the right), the Lhasa Apso we recently took in to our home. He was 8 months old and never had been groomed, and had all kinds of knots and mats in his hair. He's much more comfortable now without all the tangles, but took some time to get used to being a bit smaller.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

MILFORD, Conn. - A man has filed a lawsuit against his neighbor, claiming he can't sell his house because of the smell of horse manure from next door. In court documents filed in Superior Court, Gino Sciortino claims Helen Catlin is permitting significant quantities of horse manure to accumulate in piles on her property and the foul odor can often be smelled at his home.

Helen and David Catlin have lived on Park Road more than a year and own three horses.

Sciortino said that at times, the smell is overpowering.

"When the wind blows, everything smells of horse manure," Sciortino said Thursday, saying the odor has made it difficult to sell his house for the past year.

Sciortino is asking for monetary damages as well as an injunction ordering Helen Catlin to relocate the horse manure and other debris and to re-grade the soil near their property line.

"Once this is resolved, I will try to sell again," Sciortino said.

David Catlin, the husband of the woman named in the lawsuit, said Thursday that he mixes the manure with other material to create compost, which he sprinkles with lime to prevent the scent from wafting across the property.

"Nobody else seems to be able to smell it," Catlin said of his other neighbors. "He's misleading a lot of people."

Staffers at the Pomperaug Health District have not reported any complaints about horse manure on Park Road.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Casual Canine™ Spidey Paws Costume is made of lightweight black plush with six realistic legs for added detail. You'll love dressing your dogs for photo opportunities and parties in this hilarious and charming costumes. Costumes are made of soft, durable, high-quality fabrics with Velcro® closures for easy fastening and a secure fit.

Hood features big eyes and antenna, while the Velcro closures on the neck and belly offer a secure fit. Comes brand new in bag!

Funny stuff, and like all the costumes featured on this blog, if you are interested in buying one, let me know. Email mattfm77@hotmail.com.

Friday, September 14, 2007

A rather long article written in the Boston Globe. The entire version can be found http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2007/09/09/lawyer_for_the_dog/

"IN RECENT YEARS, Dr. Amy Marder, a veterinarian practicing in Lexington, has found herself called upon to decide which human "parent" a pet prefers.

Pet custody disputes have become an increasingly common fixture in divorce cases and Marder, an animal behavior specialist, has consulted in several. To do a proper evaluation, she likes to spend at least an hour and a half with the couple and the pet. She asks the owners a barrage of questions: which of the two spends more time with the animal, who plays with it more, who feeds it. She asks about the pet's upbringing, its temperament, how much it exercises."

-----As recently as 10 years ago, evaluating who a pet would go to in a divorce was almos absurd to lawyers. Today, though, it's a more common practice. Here is another interesting tidbit from the article:

"Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia now allow pet owners to endow pet trusts, the kind of legislation that made it possible for New York hotel billionaire Leona Helmsley to bequeath $12 million to her dog, Trouble. In some states, veterinarians are now required to report suspicions of animal abuse in the same way pediatricians have to report child abuse. Courts are starting to take seriously the claim that pet owners are entitled to compensation for pain and suffering in cases involving the death of an animal. And, in a Tennessee case this spring, a court appointed a legal guardian to represent the interests of a dog in a custody dispute."---Or this tidbit---

"At the same time, the field of animal law is growing. Nearly half of the 190 accredited law schools in the United States now offer animal law courses, up from a handful 10 years ago, and around 100 now have chapters of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. A rising number of lawyers are dedicating themselves, in whole or in part, to the practice, and the American Bar Association and 13 state bar associations now have animal law committees."

---Insert your best lawyer joke here. But let's face it, as the pet industry has grown, it was only natural that more and more lawyers would get involved.

Several organizations report an increasing number of complaints concerning online pet sales, including the American Kennel Club, the Council of Better Business Bureaus, the Humane Society of the United States and the Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3.

Over the past year, the Internet Crime Complaint Center has received nearly 700 complaints -- mostly coming from people contacted by fraudsters answering the victims' ads for pet sales or people who answered fraudsters' ads themselves.

There are three main types of pet scams: an overpayment scheme, a Nigerian pet scam and a sale that provides you with an ill or dying puppy -- or no puppy at all.

Because the scammers frequently operate from overseas, it's often impossible for victims to recoup their money or take legal action. In the United States, California, Florida and Louisiana are hot spots. Victims lose anywhere from $250 to $2,000 to the scams, according to Alison Preszler, spokeswoman for the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

Here's how to recognize these scams and how you can protect yourself while shopping for a furry family member.Overpayment pet scamHow it works: This is a variation on a popular fraud scheme. An animal owner publishes an online ad offering a pet for sale. The fraudster contacts this person, negotiates a price and sends payment for the animal in the form of a cashier's check.

The trick is that the check is for an amount much larger than the agreed upon price of the pet. The scammer then asks the potential victim to return the overpayment, usually through wire transfer, back to the fraudster or a third party.

The victim eventually learns the cashier's check is counterfeit and loses the money he or she was supposed to get for the dog, plus any funds wired to the scammer. If the victim actually sent the dog, he or she won't get it back.

A number of the pet scams reported to the IC3 involved advance-fee or fraudulent check schemes, says April Wall, a research assistant with the National White Collar Crime Center.

The story can vary as to why the animal is free or discounted -- the current owner is a missionary who needs to find the puppy a new home due to the terrible weather in its current location; the animal was rescued from a natural disaster and needs a good home, etc.

The scammer will then ask interested buyers to pay for the dog's shipment, down payment, inoculations and any number of other miscellaneous fees. The victims wire money for the dogs but generally only get excuses for the delay. Instead, they're repeatedly asked for more money to cover additional "fees" invented by the scammer.

Greedy scammers will concoct even more fees that the victim needs to pay after the dog has been supposedly shipped. Unfortunately, once you wire the money, it's gone, says Preszler.

The bait and switchHow it works: Scammers are selling purebreds, "designer dogs," mutts and even made-up breeds through online classified ads and breeder Web sites. Often what people get are different dogs than the ones requested or puppies that are sickly. Sometimes they don't get anything.

Nearly 20 percent of the complaints received over the last year referred to Internet sales, says Stephanie Shain, the director of outreach for companion animals at The Humane Society of the United States.

People searching online for a dog they want find a Web site or ad offering puppies for sale and send e-mails or call the breeders requesting ones they want. Shain says it's common for the scammers to send you photos of the puppies they're shipping to you, but the pictures may not be the dogs you actually receive.

"Sending you a photograph doesn't mean they have that puppy," she says. "It's just a picture of a puppy."

Scammers count on people not wanting to send puppies back, even if they are different from the ones they ordered. Who is going to send a puppy back?

The animal you receive might be from a puppy mill, a factory-like place that produces large numbers of puppies in cramped, unsavory conditions for sheer profit. These puppies can come with severe health and behavioral problems.

And that's if you actually receive the dog.

April Buck of Grain Valley, Mo., was looking for an English bulldog puppy when she found a Web site offering one -- named Buck -- and wired $1,200 through Western Union to Miami to pay for the dog and its shipment.

The seller then asked her to pay another $300 for a DNA test that the airport supposedly required. She refused to send the money and contacted local authorities, the FBI and even Western Union about the scam with no luck.

"We didn't get our puppy but he kept our money," she says. "We lost a total of $1,289 to be exact. It cost us $89 to send the money."

Buck says the seller had a normal-looking Web site, claimed he had been in the business for 11 years and said the puppies were AKC-registered.

"I thought that meant these people were screened," Buck says. As it turns out, the AKC had never heard of the seller.

In any case, the AKC is just a registry, says Shain, not a quality control organization.

"If you don't know anything about the Web, don't buy anything off the Web," Buck says.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Like all Americans, I can clearly remember my entire day six years ago when the terrorists struck our soil.

My reflections on this day are probably like most people. Feelings of sadness, loss, and fear of the unknown. It seemed the whole country fell into a deep funk. Although I can go on and on rehashing my thoughts of that day, I have no unique stories or tales to share. Mine are similar to most-going to work, hearing of the tragedy, and realizing how much the world just changed.

Rather then telling my not so unique story, I think it is better for everyone to reflect in their own way, with their own memories of what occurred. And not only to reflect on the bad, but to reflect on the good...the good of people who came out to help. The generosity of those who helped others in need, the heroes who never intended on being one.

Without disrespecting the lives that were lost, being a pet blog, I would be remiss if I also didn’t mention the pet heroes of the tragedy. In the aftermath of the whole event, I remember there were requests for dog boots, because so many rescue dogs were hurting their pads walking through the rubble. Those dogs did whatever was needed of them to help their “best friends.”

So today, in the midst of living and doing whatever projects need to get done today, I will take time to reflect, hug my wife, pet my dogs, and appreciate my fish. Because when we all woke up and went on our way six years ago, we could never know that so many lives would change forever.

Saturday, September 8, 2007

A company called Fish N Flush has created a fish tank that doubles as your toilet. It comes with everything you need...just add gravel, fish and water.

Don't worry about flushing your fish, it's a separate tank from the one that fills the bowl.

These acrylic tanks are fully functional, impact resistant and stronger than china. They are completely separate from the toilet tank and are designed to fit directly against the companion tank reservoir.

Though, I'm not sure how much the fish would enjoy the daily activities of a bathroom. Plus, with the heat given off from showers, you could risk having temperature changes around the tank that wouldn't be good for the fish.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

PHOENIX - A suburban police officer is accused of leaving a police dog in a patrol car for more than 12 hours on a 109-degree day, killing the animal.

Chandler police Sgt. Tom Lovejoy was booked into the Maricopa County jail on a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty after a two-week investigation into the death of a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois named Bandit. He was released later Wednesday, said Capt. Paul Chagolla, a spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s investigation showed Bandit was in Lovejoy’s patrol car from about 9 a.m. to shortly after 10 p.m. Aug. 11. During that time, the investigation found, the officer ran errands, napped and ate out with his wife. Lovejoy later found the dog dead in the car.

“I am certain Sgt. Lovejoy has suffered greatly from leaving his police dog in a sweltering car,” Sheriff Joe Arpaio said in a statement. “I do not relish the idea of compounding his sadness. However, Lovejoy must be treated like anyone else in similar circumstances.”

Lovejoy said Wednesday night that he is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 25 and that his lawyer advised him not to comment further.

I've written about this product before, but I'm still amazed by how much my dogs love this toy. Since I've gotten my second dog, both my pups seem to have an unending string of energy. They'll run around and play like mad (often a bit rough, at least in human terms). But as soon as I take out their antlerz, they stop what they're doing, and start chewing on their favorite toys. It really is amazing how much it calms them down.

My dogs are great at destroying so-called indestructible toys. Once destroyed, they feel a need to eat the stuffing. So when a relative approached me with this unique product, I was more then happy to give it a try.

My dogs love chewing it, don't get sick, and it’s all natural. The chew toy lasts for a long time. It naturally wears down so there is nothing that the dog will vomit later as he chews (sorry for the graphic thought).

Here is the product description:Deer Antlerz are a 100% natural, mineral rich, long lasting dog chew. The new chew is made from a natural material that is rich in minerals, does not splinter and comes from a completely renewable source – Deer antlers! Wild deer shed their antlers once a year as part of a natural process, after which the deer re-grow another set.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Although this blog generally deals with pets, products and more, I came across some interesting information regarding how the pet overpopulation problem grows.

Many animals are forced to spend months in shelters, or are euthanized in the prime of their lives. The chief reason for this is the overpopulation of cats and dogs throughout the country.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates between three and four million cats and dogs are euthanized each year. Part of the problem in addressing overpopulation is that pet owners don't always realize just how quickly things can get out of control.

Consider the following statistic: In just six years, a female dog and her offspring can give birth to 67,000 puppies. That means, unless your dog is already spayed or neutered, it could become the starting parent of a family 67,000 strong by 2012.

HSUS points to legislation and education as an effective means for curing the overpopulation problem.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

My friends at http://www.healthypetcompany.comalways have something interesting to sell. I've heard about pet diapers before, but never really thought much of them until I saw pictures of pets actually wearing them.

I understand the need and usefulness of pet diapers, but the description of the product really says it all:

Peepers Disposable Pet Diapers addresses a significant need amoung pet owners to allow their pets run freely in the house, on the couch, and in bed without worrying about leakage.

Following up on my post the other day regarding the "Pet Economy," it's fun to find all of the various products out there. Here's hoping my dogs won't have any problems with 'leakage,' but if they do, at least I know there is a product that can do the job.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Great article in Business Week about the current state of the pet economy. According to the article, "Americans spend an astonishing $41 billion a year on their furry friends."

Other great stats and trends are also featured in this article, including the booming business of buying fake testicles for your dog to replace the ones removed during neutering. Yup, I said it, fake testicles - and they get implanted back into the dog.

Athough zoo animals aren't really pets, what animal lover doesn't enjoy a trip to the zoo? Here are some pics of a recent trip we took to the Cape May County Zoo, located on the New Jersey Shoreline, about 15 minutes from Cape May, Wildwood, and Ocean City.

Plus, there is no admission fee -- instead it's all donation based and you can pay whatever you want. The first time we went, I thought, how good could it be with no admission. But it is definately worth the time to go and visit

About Me

I’ve always had pets. Growing up it was a dog, some cats, and a fish tank. As I got older and moved out on my own, I always took the fish with me. The urge for a new puppy kept grabbing hold. After months of research and searching, we found Rocco…a Lhasa Apso/Japanese Chin mix. Different, you say? Well, nothing like we’ve ever seen. But a great dog with lots of energy. A year later, we adopted Kelso, a pup who had bounced around to a few different homes before we took him in and gave him a permanent place to live.
Disclaimer:
This site is for entertainment purposes. We try to provide tips based on research, but we encourage you to do your own research. The opinions expressed are from the authors and if your pet needs medical advice, we suggest speaking to your vet.